Support the Arctic Sea Ice Forum and Blog

Author Topic: Northwest Passage thread  (Read 245352 times)

RoxTheGeologist

  • Grease ice
  • Posts: 625
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 188
  • Likes Given: 149
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #250 on: August 29, 2016, 04:25:44 PM »
Hey, I know it's not the standard route, but would if be possible to use the Foxe Basin, Fury and Hecla Strait into the Gulf of Boothia, and then travel through the Bellot Strait to meet up with the 'southern' route for the northwest passage?

The answer is definitely YES! David Scott Cowper in Polar Bound has just traversed that route in a westerly direction for the first time, since modern records began at least:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/david-scott-cowper-makes-history-again/

I wish he had a webcam so we could see the traverse!

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #251 on: September 03, 2016, 04:22:57 PM »
Polar Bound and Northabout are both currently stationary. However in an interesting development the yacht Pachamama is currently rapidly approaching Fury & Hecla Strait from the north-west:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/david-scott-cowper-makes-history-again/#comment-215506
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #252 on: September 04, 2016, 04:10:37 PM »
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #253 on: September 06, 2016, 12:25:13 PM »
Fury & Hecla Strait is a veritable highway this summer. Both Pachamama and Vagabond have now completed west to east transits:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/david-scott-cowper-makes-history-again/#comment-215531
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Phil.

  • Grease ice
  • Posts: 540
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 76
  • Likes Given: 11
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #254 on: September 08, 2016, 09:29:37 PM »
Northabout is on the move again:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/northabout-braves-the-northwest-passage/#Sep-04

and so is Polar Bound:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/david-scott-cowper-makes-history-again/#Sep-04

Maybe they'll meet up somewhere shortly?

They just did:
SHIPSLOG Half Day Update 8 Sept

08/09/2016
N68 52 W 105 01 pressure 1002, water 5.8C, Air 3C 15.15 UTC 8 Sept

"Still punching against the wind, and still choppy seas. Hoping the wind will turn in next couple of hours. Heading down the coast, Cambridge bay behind now. Into Queen Mauld Gulf,

Just saw Polar Bound."

Tealight

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 490
    • View Profile
    • CryosphereComputing
  • Liked: 176
  • Likes Given: 17
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #255 on: September 09, 2016, 12:15:19 AM »
Crystal Serenity south of Victoria Island on 28th of August. It is the only cloud free image I found of the ship during its jouney through the Northwest Passage.

Cate

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 199
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #256 on: September 09, 2016, 02:43:16 PM »
"Mad dogs and Englishmen came to mind."

Northabout and Polar Bound meet in the NWP.

Pretty much in the area of Franklin's old stomping grounds.

http://polarocean.co.uk/cambridge-bay-last-place-really-winter-boat-i-hope-dont-retrace-steps/

lurkalot

  • New ice
  • Posts: 32
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 2
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #257 on: September 10, 2016, 07:44:20 PM »
Northabout is through Bellot Strait.

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #258 on: September 10, 2016, 08:05:10 PM »
Northabout is through Bellot Strait.

She is indeed.  Her next problem is dodging a few bergy bits, and then the ice at the end of Prince Regent Inlet:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/northabout-braves-the-northwest-passage/#Sep-10
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Andreas T

  • Nilas ice
  • Posts: 1149
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 18
  • Likes Given: 4
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #259 on: September 11, 2016, 10:43:00 AM »
what I find interesting about this ice http://go.nasa.gov/2cN366B is that the area was clear 3 weeks ago http://go.nasa.gov/2cLRPTW and this ice is stuff which has drifted in from between the islands further north where in turn ice is topped up from the arctic ocean.
west of Resolute there are some floes floating about which came from the north last October and have survived until now.
 If there is a substantial inflow of this ice before it gets stuck between the islands in the freeze up it will be able to obstruct the passage next year.
I remember reading some time ago that increased mobility of the ice north of Resolute would be bad for the Northwest Passage. We will see how much of an obstruction it will be. This will of course depend on winds etc

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #260 on: September 11, 2016, 01:39:36 PM »
An updated video of the NW Passage:



The current ice on Northabout's route doesn't show up on AMSR2! Nonetheless you can see the recent advection into the CAA quite nicely.

As you say, everything depends on the winds. A stiff offshore breeze is developing, which may make Northabout's task much easier?

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/northabout-braves-the-northwest-passage/#Sep-11
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Cate

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 199
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #261 on: September 11, 2016, 03:39:54 PM »
Northabout in Bellot Strait, 10 Sept 2016. No ice anywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_rH48q5YkU&feature=youtu.be

ghoti

  • Grease ice
  • Posts: 767
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 12
  • Likes Given: 15
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #262 on: September 11, 2016, 03:54:55 PM »
This isn't in the NW passage but I think this is what is being pushed into it.

A photo from Chris Hadfield on an very recent Arctic trip.

https://twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/status/774956911535980544

The jumbled pile of ice is impressive. Certainly looks thick. There are people and a tent visible on the land giving a bit of scale.


Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #263 on: September 11, 2016, 07:19:35 PM »
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #264 on: September 12, 2016, 12:41:32 AM »
Northabout looks to be past the old ice across her path. Time to start looking at the storm forecast!

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/northabout-braves-the-northwest-passage/#comment-215649
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #265 on: September 12, 2016, 08:02:45 PM »
After dodging more bits of ice in Lancaster Sound Northabout is setting off across Baffin Bay. Plus that storm forecast:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/northabout-braves-the-northwest-passage/#Sep-12
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Rick Aster

  • New ice
  • Posts: 71
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 1
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #266 on: September 12, 2016, 09:39:25 PM »
The Guardian reports wreck of HMS Terror found:

Ship found in Arctic 168 years after doomed Northwest Passage attempt
Exclusive: Perfectly preserved HMS Terror vessel sank during disastrous expedition led by British explorer Sir John Franklin

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/12/hms-terror-wreck-found-arctic-nearly-170-years-northwest-passage-attempt

Andreas T

  • Nilas ice
  • Posts: 1149
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 18
  • Likes Given: 4
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #267 on: September 12, 2016, 10:31:19 PM »
it is worth looking at the footage filmed by the Northabout crew in comparison to the wispy bits of white stuff seen in the satellite images. While this looks like "froth" "slush" etc when sea ice is discussed in thousands of square kilometers, this ice which is too sparse to show in the AMSR images, can still be an obstacle to shipping without the strength to withstand collision with it.
worldview image is from 9.9. later date are too cloudy, but I doubt this ice actually grew in the meantime (it probably drifted closer to the coast while melting)
http://go.nasa.gov/2czdC3s
« Last Edit: September 12, 2016, 10:43:42 PM by Andreas T »

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #268 on: September 12, 2016, 11:06:30 PM »
See also this September 11th Sentinel image from my link above:
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Cate

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 199
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #269 on: September 13, 2016, 03:01:16 AM »
For the record: PRESS RELEASE

"The Polar Ocean Challenge successfully completed their quest to sail the North East Passage and North West Passage in one season.  The North West Passage was completed in an astonishing 14 days due to the fact that it was almost totally ice free.  They encountered ice only twice in their 1800 mile NW Passage part of the voyage.  This highlights an extraordinary loss of sea ice in the Arctic in the 30 years that David Hempleman-Adams has been coming to the area. He said, ‘ whilst we are all delighted to have succeeded, it is extremely worrying to see this lack of ice so starkly ‘ The objective of the expedition was to raise awareness of the change in the fragile climate in the Arctic. They left Lancaster Sound at the end of the NW Passage at 19.18 UTC on 12th September and are headed for Greenland."


http://polarocean.co.uk/

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #270 on: September 13, 2016, 08:51:32 AM »
For the record: PRESS RELEASE

They left Lancaster Sound at the end of the NW Passage at 19.18 UTC on 12th September

That'll get the cryodenialistas in a tizzy! Northabout hasn't crossed the Arctic Circle! Twice!!
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Phil.

  • Grease ice
  • Posts: 540
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 76
  • Likes Given: 11
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #271 on: September 13, 2016, 02:32:00 PM »
Well Amundsen announced to the world that he'd completed the NW Passage before he crossed the Arctic Circle so there is precedence.  ;)

Cate

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 199
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #272 on: September 13, 2016, 04:56:06 PM »

lurkalot

  • New ice
  • Posts: 32
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 2
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #273 on: September 15, 2016, 12:09:42 PM »
Northabout has just arrived in Upernavik; Crystal Serenity will reach New York in a few hours.

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #274 on: September 15, 2016, 02:27:56 PM »
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #275 on: September 15, 2016, 05:08:34 PM »
Watch Northabout on ITV news until 23:00 UTC tonight:

http://www.itv.com/hub/itv-news-at-ten/2a4409a0183

Starts at ~26 minutes.
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

ghoti

  • Grease ice
  • Posts: 767
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 12
  • Likes Given: 15
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #276 on: September 22, 2016, 11:20:30 PM »
Polar Bound made it west of Pt Barrow and reports that the NWS claim of 9/10 ice there was exaggerated:

http://arcticnorthwestpassage.blogspot.ca/2016/09/mv-polar-bound-turns-corner-in-sea-ice.html?view=sidebar

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #277 on: September 23, 2016, 12:15:05 AM »
I don't think it was 9/10 according to the NWS. My own version of events:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/08/david-scott-cowper-makes-history-again/#Sep-21

Quote
It seems Polar Bound somehow managed to wend her way through 7-8/10 concentration sea ice, does it not?

Orange is 7-8/10
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

ghoti

  • Grease ice
  • Posts: 767
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 12
  • Likes Given: 15
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #278 on: September 23, 2016, 12:44:40 AM »
The claim was Polar Bound's not mine. They used the Sept 20 ice map because they left on Sept 20.

Interesting how large the difference is each day. I'd never be able to handle the stress of navigating the Arctic - way too exciting for me.

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #279 on: September 23, 2016, 11:51:16 AM »
The claim was Polar Bound's not mine.

Actually I think you'll find the claim was Doug Pohl's, and he has an "agenda"!

I guess one can safely assume that the NWS errs on the side of safety? And sea ice can move a hell of a long way when there's a hell of a storm blowing!

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/2016/09/september-arctic-cyclone-alert/

Quote
I'd never be able to handle the stress of navigating the Arctic

I managed to conduct a brief "email interview" with David Hempleman-Adams. He tells me:

Quote
For me [the most difficult aspect of the voyage] was the responsibility of a crew, a long way from rescue and safety.

Always in the back of my mind was an over winter.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2016, 12:01:08 PM by Jim Hunt »
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #280 on: September 28, 2016, 01:50:37 AM »
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Cate

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 199
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #281 on: October 06, 2016, 12:51:28 AM »
Oh dear.

To finish off a very active season in the NWP, how about a wee turf war?

Knickers are getting into twists at several levels of bureaucracy as parties dispute who was allowed or not allowed to find HMS Terror.

The burning question must be asked: If HMS Terror was not allowed to be found, must it now be unfound, and if so, how?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/hms-terror-find-under-review-by-feds-1.3791664?cmp=rss

 ::)

Rick Aster

  • New ice
  • Posts: 71
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 1
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #282 on: October 17, 2016, 05:37:56 PM »

To finish off a very active season in the NWP, how about a wee turf war?


O the irony: a turf war offshore where there isn't any turf!

TerryM

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6002
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 5
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #283 on: October 20, 2016, 10:32:00 PM »
Oh dear.

To finish off a very active season in the NWP, how about a wee turf war?

Knickers are getting into twists at several levels of bureaucracy as parties dispute who was allowed or not allowed to find HMS Terror.

The burning question must be asked: If HMS Terror was not allowed to be found, must it now be unfound, and if so, how?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/hms-terror-find-under-review-by-feds-1.3791664?cmp=rss

 ::)


Cate
As one who lives in a region that has benefitted hugely from the largess of Mr. Balsillie, Mr. Lazaridis, and early investors in RIM, I somehow don't find it strange that TPTB are attempting to discredit the work of ARF.
I had hoped that with Harper out of the picture our government would lightened up on RIM's founders.
Terry

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #284 on: October 20, 2016, 11:24:53 PM »
Not entirely off topic, Northabout finally arrived back in Bristol today. Yours truly with Ben Edwards, who is going back to school tomorrow!
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

mati

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 268
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #285 on: October 21, 2016, 02:51:11 AM »
Awesome Jim
and so it goes

Cate

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 199
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #286 on: October 21, 2016, 05:43:57 PM »
Cool shots, Jim. What a fantastic voyage it was. So glad they are all home safe and lucky you, getting to meet them.

Well done to Ben in particular. He has so much of value now to share with the young folk of the planet now, of his Arctic experience, observations, and reflections.

Cate

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 199
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #287 on: December 05, 2016, 12:03:04 PM »
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hms-erebus-sir-john-franklin-expedition-arctic-parks-canada-inuit-artifacts-1.3877150

In the UK? Don't miss this "first major exhibition" of Franklin artifacts at the National Maritime Museum in 2017. Very exciting!

Meanwhile, discussions/disputes continue about who owns what wrt the wreck and where it all properly belongs in the end.
 
"Canada signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom in 1997, acknowledging that Britain owned the Franklin wrecks and their contents whenever they might be found. Britain agreed to assign ownership of artifacts to Canada, with the exception of any gold or any objects of "outstanding significance to the Royal Navy." Britain also agreed to compensate Canada "all reasonable costs associated with the recovery, conservation and transportation of such artifacts."

But the wording of the memorandum is murky in places, so "Canada wants Britain to sign a clearer, "legally binding" memorandum of understanding, as well as an ownership-transfer protocol, and a third agreement on loans and research."


Cate

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 199
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 1
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #288 on: January 14, 2017, 03:43:01 PM »
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/emails-from-discovery-of-hms-terror-show-bad-blood-secrecy-behind-the-scenes

Ottawa Citizen, 9 Jan 2017

"Emails from discovery of HMS Terror show bad blood, secrecy behind the scenes

Internal Parks Canada emails show how the final days of the search for HMS Terror last September — ending in a discovery that should have been pure triumph — degenerated into secrecy and recrimination."

So were the emails leaked----or hacked!!??.... ;)


woodstea

  • New ice
  • Posts: 87
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 13
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #289 on: June 29, 2017, 11:16:31 PM »
With high pressure forecast for the CAA in upcoming days, it seems like a lot of progress could be made towards opening the Parry Channel route of the NWP:

Shared Humanity

  • Guest
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #290 on: June 30, 2017, 02:21:06 AM »
Definitely a lot of melt ponds.

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #291 on: June 30, 2017, 09:58:22 AM »
Definitely a lot of melt ponds.

The O-Buoy 14 webcam image hasn't updated yet today, but here's the view last night (UTC) from the heart of Viscount Melville Sound:
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg

Shared Humanity

  • Guest
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #292 on: June 30, 2017, 05:45:50 PM »
Lot of water and sun. Not a good combination.

dingojoe

  • New ice
  • Posts: 24
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 4
  • Likes Given: 35
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #293 on: July 12, 2017, 05:16:57 PM »
And bets on when the NW passage opens for business this year?

The remaining ice between Tuktoyaktuk and Cambridge Bay should melt out over the next week.  While there is a history of random strands of ice lingering along the Alaskan coast, it looks like it has a decent chance of being clear by the end of July.  That leaves Peel and especially Larsen Sound as the X factors.  Breakup started a few days earlier this year than last, but there may be a little more old ice in Larsen this year than last. 

I'm going to go with Aug 4th.

silkman

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 374
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 58
  • Likes Given: 14
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #294 on: July 13, 2017, 01:12:42 AM »

Feeltheburn

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 214
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 12
  • Likes Given: 8
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #295 on: July 13, 2017, 01:25:29 AM »
Crystal Serenity sails from Achorage on August 15th:

http://www.crystalcruises.com/voyage/details/northwest-passage-explorer-7320#details

That would be a lot of fun to be on that boat. Will it be accompanied by an ice breaker?
Feel The Burn!

silkman

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 374
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 58
  • Likes Given: 14
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #296 on: July 13, 2017, 09:44:23 AM »
It was accompanied by the RRS Ernest Shackleton last year which stirred up a fair amount of controversy here in the UK:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36541583

It also used its helicopter and inflatables for moving the tourists around and for sight seeing.

Mixed feelings I think amongst the local population, torn between the economic benefits and the ecological damage.

Given the current sea ice trend it's difficult to see the attraction of the currently pristine environment not being exploited by others. It's another very worrying sign of the times.


silkman

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 374
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 58
  • Likes Given: 14
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #297 on: July 13, 2017, 09:58:56 AM »
Here's a couple of links to cruise ship environmental impact to illustrate the problems. It's bad enough on the open ocean so it has to be a major concern in the Arctic.

Counting crew and passengers there will be close to 2000 people on the Serenity, lots of them living the high life. That's a lot of sewage and grey water usually dumped at sea with minimal treatment to dispose of somehow and somewhere....

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jan/05/cruise-ship-holidays-environmental-impact

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/jul/03/air-on-board-cruise-ships-is-twice-as-bad-as-at-piccadilly-circus



numerobis

  • Grease ice
  • Posts: 837
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 16
  • Likes Given: 3
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #298 on: July 13, 2017, 03:30:17 PM »
Mixed feelings I think amongst the local population, torn between the economic benefits and the ecological damage.

I'm not hearing much fear of ecological damage over here. Concerns seem to be rather lower down on Maslow's hierarchy. Seismic blasting off of Clyde River was a big deal because it was directly chasing away the wildlife they were expecting to eat for dinner.

Tourism seems like a great alternative to the current government's big idea, which is mining and drilling. There's a lot of pride in food and arts here; having cruise ships come by gives those a good outlet -- particularly since you can't reasonably market fur in Europe anymore, but you can sell it to wealthy tourists who are visiting.

The big concerns I've heard are: how the heck does a hamlet of 800 handle a giant ship that shows up with 2,000 passengers? And you can't set up much in the way tourist accommodations if there's only tourists for a day, so how do you handle that? What happens when the community gets a huge 1-day injection of funds (biweekly payday and monthly welfare cheque day is already not a good scene, and there are no bank branches in the smaller hamlets)? And is it just a fad that will melt away when the novelty of the fabled northwest passage fades?

Jim Hunt

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 6268
  • Don't Vote NatC or PopCon, Save Lives!
    • View Profile
    • The Arctic sea ice Great White Con
  • Liked: 893
  • Likes Given: 87
Re: Northwest Passage thread
« Reply #299 on: July 13, 2017, 10:15:59 PM »
That leaves Peel and especially Larsen Sound as the X factors.

On the southern route it looks as though the old ice in Larsen Sound and Victoria Strait will be the last to go:

http://GreatWhiteCon.info/resources/arctic-regional-graphs/northwest-passage/
"The most revolutionary thing one can do always is to proclaim loudly what is happening" - Rosa Luxemburg